That is so wonderful Bordelsey--what a great memory to have of your mother. And yes, it is relationship (not necessarily just reading a poem in a book) that can make poetry so powerful. Poetry really ought to be read aloud--the spoken word is its "natural habitat"

Many thanks for the warm welcome. I've just been glancing through my old school poetry book, and note comments from my English Master, Mr Collins. His teaching the Petrarchian rhyme sequence and me quickly noting abba abba cdc dcd. On First looking Into Chapman's Homer. His home-work request: "I want a poem from each of you following that pattern and whilst your at it, what did that last line mean? Silent, upon a peak in Darien.